Crispin Blunt

Conservative Party | Reigate

Middle East and Ukraine

Mr. Crispin Blunt (Reigate) (Con): Last week, the Foreign Secretary received an assurance from the Israeli Foreign Minister that Israel would ensure freedom of movement for the elections. Is he aware of reports that I saw today that, since his visit to Israel, officials of the Palestinian election commission were held for six hours at an Israeli checkpoint? Will he investigate whether those reports are correct? If they are, will he communicate his frustration to the Israeli authorities with the same candour that he would display if he discovered that British troops were obstructing the Iraqi election commission in trying to prepare for elections in Iraq, particularly given that he was given an assurance to the contrary four days earlier?

Mr. Straw: I was not aware of that claim, which I take seriously. I shall certainly investigate it and ask our ambassador in Tel Aviv to do so, and report back to the House.

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